Automatic lock slider for slide fasteners



- March 31, 1942. oux 2,277,831

AUTOMATIC LOCK SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed May 18, 1940 2 6 ,1; 2 1, 37 i7 U 'I gel. ,2

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Patented Mar. 31, 1942 UNITED STATE AUTOMATIC LOCK SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Noel J. Poux, Meadvllle, Pa, assignor to Talon, Inc, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 18, 1940, Serial No. 335,952

3 Claims.

This invention relates to slide fasteners and, in particular, to the provision of new and improved automatic lock sliders therefor.

It is an object of this invention to provide an automatic lock slider for slide fasteners embodying ultimate simplicity in design, ease and economy of manufacture and convenience of operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a slider construction wherein pivotal or other loose, dangling, manually engageable pull tabs or like appurtenances are totally obviated.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a slider construction embodying a looking projection normally automatically projected into the slide fastener guiding channel of the slider from the rear of the slider and associated manually engageable means at the front of the slider which is operated through pressure applied thereto, in a direction toward the rear of the slider, for withdrawing the locking projection from the fastener element guiding channel of the slider, to unlock the slider.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms a part thereof, and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative conventional slide fastener embodying the above described manually engageable pull lock actuating or look controlling means. As these pull tabs were generally but loosely connected to the slider body, they dangled in objectionable manner up'on movement of the fastener, and, in particular, the slider thereof.

According to the principles of this invention, the above disadvantages of prior art slider constructions are totally obviated by elimination of tabs. The slider locking means is automatic in the sense that the slider is normally locked thereby against longitudinal movement with respect to the slide fastener and unlocked by the application of squeezing pressure to press toward the rear wing of the slider either a portion of the front wing of the slider, or a member supported therein.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the illustrative slide fastener shown in'Fig. 1 comprises r H of the fastener, in known manner.

a slider construction according to this invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the slider construction of Fig. l, with the parts in looking position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the slider parts in unlocked position;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line il-t of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a modified slider construction according to this invention, with the parts in locking position;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a second modified slider construction according to this invention, with the parts in unlocked position;

and

Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 'L-l of Fig. 6.

Generally, in prior art slide fastener slider constructions, the slider has been moved longitudinally of the fastener stringers by manual engagement of a pull tab pivotally attached at the front or forward side of the slider. Where the slider was of locking type, this manually engageable pull tab was utilized, in addition, as a provided with a longitudinal locking arm receiving recess 22 extending throughout a substantial portion of its length and terminating, adjacent the lower end of the slider, in a locking projection receiving opening or aperture 22a. A locking plunger receiving aperture 23 extends from the upper end of the recess 22 forwardly through the neck 59 of the slider to a concentrically aligned locking member actuating member receiving aperture 28. This aperture 2 1 extends part way through the slider, from the outer surface of the front wing ll thereof, and is substantially aligned with the locking plunger receiving aperture 23, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

The locking means includes a locking member generally designated 25, a locking member biasing spring member 25 and a locking member actuating member comprising a button 21. The lock ing member .25 comprises a longitudinal locking arm 28 extending substantially throughout the length of the locking arm receiving recess or channel 22 and terminating at its lower end in a forwardly directed locking projection 29 which is aligned and disposed in the locking pro ection receiving aperture or opening 22a. Extending forwardly from the upper end of the locking arm 28 is a locking plunger 30 which is align-ed with and disposed within the locking plunger receiving aperture 23 being provided with a screw-threaded portion 3! at its forward end, by means of which the locking member actuating button 21 is secured thereto, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

An abutment or shoulder 32 is formed at the juncture of the locking plunger receiving aperture 23 and the aperture 24, the above described biasing spring member 26 being secured between this shoulder or abutment 32 and the inner surface of the locking member actuating button member 21. The locking member actuating button 21 is thus constantly biased forwardly of the slider l6, toward the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The locking member 25, which is screwthreadedly secured to the button 21, is likewise urged forwardly toward the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, wherein the locking arm 28 abuts with the inner or bottom surface of the recess 22.

In this last described position of the parts, which is the locking position of the slider, the locking projection 29 extends upwardly through the locking projection receiving aperture 22a, into the interlocking fastener member receiving channel 2| of the slider.

In this locking position ofv the parts, projection of the locking projection 29 into the spaces between adjacent interlocking fastener members It, as shown in Fig. 2, prevents the occurrence of relative longitudinal movement between the slider 16 and the stringer tapes i and Ii, whereby the fastener is locked either in open or closed position, because the slider is thus locked against longitudinal movement thereon.

As the biasing spring 26 normally urges the parts to locking position, it is merely necessary, in order to unlock the slider, that the locking member operating button 27 be thrust inwardly of the aperture 24, or rearwardly of the slider proper, against the force of the spring 26 to bring the parts from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3. In this position of the parts, the locking projection is withdrawn from the interlocking fastener member receiving channel 21, whereby free relative longitudinal movement between the slider I6 and the stringer tapes I 0 and I I may occur.

In the modifications illustrated in Figs. and 6, the front wing ll of the slider is provided adjacent the upper end with a longitudinal slot or recess 34 which extends for a substantial distance longitudinally from the upper end of the slider body. A spring supporting extension 35 extends longitudinally of the slider from the lower end of the recess 34. A longitudinal leaf spring member 36 has its lower end fixed in the leaf spring receiving recess extension 35, while the upper end thereof, which is forwardly offset from the lower end thereof, is rigidly secured to the forward end of the locking plunger 30.

The leaf spring member 35 thus operates in substantially the same manner as does the abovedescribed coil spring member 26, constantly to bias the locking arm 28 forwardly of the slider or inwardly toward the inner surface of the recess 22, as shown in Fig. 5, to project the locking projection 29 into the channel 2i, as shown' in Fig. 5. In order to provide means for bringing the parts from the locking position shown in Fig. 5 to the unlocked position shown in Fig. 6, a locking member operating tongue 31 overlies the recess 34 and extends upwardly in the recess 34 to the upper end thereof.

The locking member operating tongue 31 may be formed integrally with the front wing ll of the slider body, as shown in Fig. 6, or may be formed separately therefrom, with the lower end thereof rigidly secured in suitable manner in a longitudinal, relatively shallow extension 38 of the above-described recess 34, as shown in Fig. 5.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figs, 5 and 6, the lock operating means, or looking member operating tongue 31, is flush with the forward surface of the slider in the locking position, as shown in Fig. 5. This totally obviates the necessity for extension of parts forwardly of the front surface of the slider, and I have thus achieved a "streamlined" slide fastener slider construction, wherein there are no projecting parts to catch upon clothing or other parts of the closure embodying stringer tapes I0 and ll of the slide fastener.

To bring the parts from the locking positionshown in Fig. 5 to the unlocked position shown in Figs. 6 and 7, it is merely necessary to apply rearward pressure or squeezing force to the locking tongue 31, preferably adjacent the upper end thereof, to thrust the locking plunger 30 rearwardly in the locking plunger receiving aperture- 23, against the force of the biasing leaf spring 35 for moving the locking arm 28 outwardly in the locking arm receiving recess 22 and for withdrawing the locking projection 29, through the locking projection receiving opening or aperture 22a, outwardly from the interlocking fastener member receiving channel 2|, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The depth of the recess 22 is preferably such that this withdrawal of the locking projection 29 from the channel 2| is accomplished without projection of the locking arm 28 rearwardly beyond the locking arm receiving recess 22. This totally prevents the catching of the rear surface of the slider upon any underlying material.

From the above description, it will clearly appear that I have provided a new and improved automatic locking slide fastener slider which is of extremely simple construction, possessed of great strength and durability as well as pleasing appearance and which may be manufactured with ease and facility, at extremely low cost.

In addition to the above advantages, the slider I incorporates a new principle of lock operation wherein the slider, which is normally automatically locked, may be unlocked by the application of pressure or squeezing force directed rearwardly from the front wing of the slider.

It is, of course, to be understood that the above description is merely illustrative and in nowise limiting and that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a lock slider for slide fasteners, a slider body having therein a fastener member guiding channel, a recess in its front surface, and a recess in its rear surface, a longitudinal locking arm within said recess in the rear surface of said slider body, a forwardly directed locking projection on said locking arm projectible into said channel, a locking plunger extending forwardly from said locking arm, resilient biasing means in said recess in the front surface of said slider body and constantly urging said locking plunger forwardly to project said locking projection into said fastener member guiding channel, and lock operating means overlying said biasing means and manually movable rearwardly against said biasing means for forcing said locking plunger rearwardly of said slider and withdrawing said loci:- ing projection from said fastener member guiding channel.

2, in a lock slider for slide fasteners, a slider body having therein a fastener member guiding channel, a recess in its front surface, and a recess H in its rear surface, a longitudinal locking arm within said recess in the rear surface of said slider body, a forwardly directed locking projection on said locking arm projectible into said channel, a locking plunger extending orwardly from said lockin arm, biasing spring member in said recess in the front surface of said slider body and constantly urging said locking plunger forwardly of the slider body to project said locking projection into said fastener member guiding channel,

and lock operating means overlying the forward end of said locking member and said biasing spring member and manually movable rearwardly of said slider against said biasingspring memher for forcing said locking plunger rearwardly of said slider and withdrawingsaid locking projection from said fastener member guiding channel.

3; In a loch slider for slide fasteners, a slider body having therein a fastener member guiding channel, a recess in its front surface, and a recess in its rear surface, a longitudinal locking arm in said recess in the rear surface of said slider body, a locking projection extending forwardly from the lower end of said locking arm and projectible into said channel, a locking plunger extending forwardly from the upper end of said locking arm, coil spring biasing means in said recess in the front surface of said slider body and constantly urging said locking plunger forward- 1y to project said locking projection into said fastener member guiding channel, and a manually engageable lock operating button member fixed to the forward end of said locking plunger and overlying said coil spring biasing means in engagement therewith, said lock operating button member being manually movablerearwardly of the slider body against said coil spring biasing means for forcing said locking plunger, said locking arm and said locking projection rearwardly of said slider and withdrawing said locking project-ion from said fastener member guiding channel.

4. In a lock slider for'slide fasteners, a slider body having therein an upwardly diverging fastener member guiding channel, a recess in its rear surface, and a recess in its front surface, a longitudinal locking arm within the recess in the rear surface of said slider body, a forwardly directed locking projection at the lower end of said locking arm and projectible into said chan-' nel, a locking plunger extending forwardly from the upper end of said locking arm, biasing means Bil in the recess in the front surface of said slider ing projection into said fastener member guiding channel, and lock operating means comprising a manually engageable longitudinal fiemble tongue member having its lower end fixed to said slider body and its upper end free thereof and overlying said biasing means, said tongue member being movable rearwardly of the slider body against said biasing means for forcing said locking plunger rearwardly of said slider and withdrawing said locking projection from said fastener member guiding channel.

5. In a lock slider for slide fasteners, a slider body having therein a fastener member guiding channel, a recess in its rear surface, and a recess in its front surface, a longitudinal locking arm in the recess in the rear surface of said slider body, a lockingprojection extendingforwardly from the lower end of said locking arm and projectible into said channel, a locking plunger extending forwardly of the slider body from upper end of said locking arm, a biasing leaf spring in the recess in the front surface of said slider body, said leaf spring having lower end portion fixed to said sliderbody and having its upper end free thereof and fixed to the forward end of said locking plunger for constantly urging said locking plunger forwardly of the slider body -to project said locking projection into said fastener member guiding channel, and lock operating means comprising a flexible tongue member overlying said biasing leaf spring and manually movable rearwardly of said slider body against said biasing leaf spring for forcing said locking plunger rearwardly of said slider body and withdrawing said locking projection from said fastener member guiding channel.

6. Slide fastener lock slider structure as defined in claim 4, said longitudinal flexible tongue mam-V body comprising marginally flanged front and rear wing members connected at their upper ends in predetermined spaced relationship by a neck member cooperating with the marginal flanges of said wing members to form an upwardly diverging fastener member guiding channel between said front and rear wing members, said rear wing member having a longitudinal locking arm receiving recess extending inwardly from its outer surface throughout a substantial portion of its length with a locking projection receiving aperture extending from the. lower end of said longitudinal locking arm receiving recess into said fastener member guiding channel and a locking plunger receiving aperture extending from the upper end of said locking arm receiving recess forwardly through said neck member, and said front wing member having a biasing means receiving recess extending inwardly from its outer surface into said locking plunger receiving aperture and forming a shoulder therewith, a locking member comprising a locking arm disposed in the locking arm receiving recess of said rear wing member,=a forwardly directed locking projection at one end of said locking arm disposed in said locking projection receiving aperture and a forwardly directed iocmng plunger extending from the other end of said locking arm and disposed in said locking plunger receiving aperture, a locking member actuating button fixed to the forward end of said locking plunger and movable axially of said biasing means receiving recess, and resilient biasing means in said biasing means receiving recess acting between said shoulder and the inner surface of said locking member actuating button for normally yieldingly urging said button forwardly in said recess while urging said locking member toward locking position.

9. In a lock slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising marginally flanged front and rear wing members connected at their upper ends in predetermined spaced relationship by a neck member cooperating with the marginal flanges of said wing members to form an upwardly diverging fastener member guiding channel between said front and rear wing members, said rear wing member having a longitudinal locking arm receiving recess extending inwardly from its outer surface throughout a substantial portion of its length with a locking projection receiving aperture extending from the lower end of said longitudinal locking arm receiving recess into said fastener member guiding channel and a locking plunger receiving aperture extending from the upper end of said locking arm receiving recess forwardly through said neck member, and

said front wing member having a biasing means receiving recess extending into said locking plunger receiving aperture, a locking member comprising a locking arm disposed in the locking arm receiving recess of said rear wing member,

a forwardly directed locking projection at one end of said locking arm disposed in said locking projection receiving aperture and a forwardly directed locking plunger at the other end of said locking arm disposed in said locking plunger receiving aperture, a longitudinal biasing leaf spring member having one end secured to said slider body at the lower end of said biasing means receiving recess in said front wing member and having its opposite end secured to the forward end of said locking plunger, and a flexible tongue member secured at one end to the lower end of said front wing member with its opposite end overlying the free end of said biasing leaf spring member and the attached forward end of said locking plunger, said biasing spring member normally urging said locking member toward locking position and the upper end of said tongue member being manually depressible inwardly of said slider body, against the force of said biasing spring member, for manually withdrawing said locking member from looking position.

NOEL J. POUX. 

